Earthquake resistant building foundation

ABSTRACT

An earthquake resistant building foundation includes a receptacle having a number of apertures each for slidably receiving a shaft, one or more spring members disposed below the receptacle for cushioning a vertical force, and a number of spring members engaged with the shafts for lateral cushioning purposes. A number of lateral cushioning devices are attached to the shafts and each has a casing secured to the shaft, a cover slidably engaged onto the casing, and one or more spring members engaged between the casing and the cover for cushioning between the casing and the cover and for forming a two-stage compressing or cushioning structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an earthquake resistant building foundation, and more particularly to an earthquake resistant building foundation including an improved structure for resisting both up and down or vertical forces and sidewise or lateral forces.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Typical earthquake resistant buildings each comprise a number of foundations each including a number of spring members for resisting the up and down or vertical forces and the sidewise or lateral forces and for resiliently cushioning and restraining the horizontal movements of the building.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,517,778 to Nicolai discloses one of the typical earthquake proof building with an improved foundation comprising a number of spherical support members mounted thereon to support the structure. However, the spherical support members may not be used to effectively reduce or cushion the sidewise or lateral forces.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,103,605 to Sul discloses another typical earthquake resistant building support system for resisting horizontal forces resulting from earthquakes, and comprising a number of support members each including a damping arrangement for damping horizontal oscillations of the earth, oscillatory earth movements, and/or horizontal longitudinal movements. However, similarly, the spherical support members also may not be used to effectively reduce or cushion the sidewise or lateral forces for the buildings.

The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional earthquake resistant building foundations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an earthquake resistant building foundation including an improved structure for resisting both up and down or vertical forces and sidewise or lateral forces.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided an earthquake resistant building foundation comprising a receptacle including a space formed therein and including a number of apertures formed in an outer peripheral portion thereof and communicating with the space of the receptacle, at least one first spring member disposed below the receptacle for applying a spring biasing force against the receptacle and for cushioning a vertical force that may be applied to the receptacle, a number of shafts slidably received in the apertures of the receptacle and movable into and out of the space of the receptacle, a number of second spring members disposed in the space of the receptacle and engaged with the shafts respectively for applying a spring biasing force against the shafts and for lateral cushioning purposes, and a number of lateral cushioning devices attached to the shafts for allowing the second spring member to apply a spring biasing force against the shaft and the lateral cushioning device, the lateral cushioning devices each including a casing secured to the shaft, a cover slidably engaged onto the casing, and at least one third spring member engaged between the casing and the cover for applying a spring biasing force between the casing and the cover and for forming a two-stage compressing or cushioning structure to suitably provide a cushioning effect.

The casing of each of the lateral cushioning devices includes at least one stud extended in the casing, and the third spring member is engaged onto the stud for engaging with the cover.

The casing of each of the lateral cushioning devices includes a compartment formed therein and defined by an outer peripheral wall and includes a first anchoring member attached thereto, and the cover includes a second anchoring member attached thereto for engaging with the first anchoring member of the casing and for limiting the cover to slide relative to the casing.

The casing of each of the lateral cushioning devices includes a retainer attached thereto, and the cover includes a latch for engaging with the retainer of the casing and for slidably anchoring the cover to the casing and for limiting the cover to slide relative to the casing.

The casing of each of the lateral cushioning devices includes a bottom panel having an opening formed therein for engaging with the shaft and for attaching the casing to the shaft. The opening of the bottom panel of the casing includes a non-circular cross section, and the shaft includes a non-circular end for engaging with the non-circular opening of the casing and for preventing the casing from rotating relative to the shaft. A stop may be secured to the shaft and engaged with the bottom panel of the casing for securing the casing to the shaft.

The shafts each include a bracket attached thereto and engaged with the second spring member and engageable with the receptacle for preventing the second spring members from moving out of the receptacle.

The receptacle includes an inner peripheral fence and an outer peripheral fence extended upwardly from a bottom panel for forming the space between the inner and the outer peripheral fences and for forming an inner compartment within the inner peripheral fence. The receptacle includes a number of pegs extended from the inner peripheral fence for engaging with the second spring members and for anchoring the second spring members to the inner peripheral fence of the receptacle.

The receptacle includes a pole extended upwardly from the bottom panel and located within the inner peripheral fence and having a screw hole formed in the pole for coupling to a hanging member. A lower plate may be disposed on top of the receptacle and includes a center hole formed therein for receiving the pole, and includes a number of orifices formed through the lower plate, and includes a number of grooves formed therein and communicating with the orifices of the lower plate.

An upper plate may be engaged on top of the lower plate and includes a center hole formed therein for receiving the pole, and the upper plate includes a number of fasteners secured thereon for securing to a lower foot of a post of a building.

A base housing may include a chamber formed therein and defined by an outer peripheral wall and a bottom wall, and may include at least one rod extended upwardly from the bottom wall of the base housing and located within the chamber defined by the outer peripheral wall, and the first spring member is engaged into the chamber of the base housing and disposed around the rod and extended upwardly beyond the rod.

The base housing includes an anchoring device having at least one barrel engaged onto the first spring member and coupled to the outer peripheral wall with at least one coupling link for anchoring the first spring member.

Further objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of the detailed description provided hereinbelow, with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial cross sectional view illustrating an attachment of an earthquake resistant building foundation in accordance with the present invention for a building;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the earthquake resistant building foundation;

FIG. 3 is a partial exploded view of the earthquake resistant building foundation;

FIG. 4 is another partial exploded view of the earthquake resistant building foundation;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the earthquake resistant building foundation;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the earthquake resistant building foundation taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 6 illustrating the operation of the earthquake resistant building foundation;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the earthquake resistant building foundation taken along lines 8-8 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 8 illustrating the operation of the earthquake resistant building foundation; and

FIGS. 10, 11 are cross sectional views similar to FIGS. 6 and 7, illustrating the other operation of the earthquake resistant building foundation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, and initially to FIG. an earthquake resistant building foundation 10 in accordance with the present invention is provided for being attached to or engaged with a lower portion of a construction 8, such as a house building 8, a bridge or the like, particularly, the earthquake resistant building foundation 10 is to be attached or secured to a bottom portion 81 of a beam or post 80 of the building 8 for resiliently cushioning and restraining the up and down or vertical forces or movements and sidewise or lateral forces or horizontal movements of the building resulting from earthquakes

The earthquake resistant building foundation 10 comprises a lower or base housing 11 including a chamber 12 formed therein and defined by an outer peripheral wall 13 and a bottom wall 15, and including one or more rods 14 extended upwardly from the bottom wall 15 of the base housing 11 and located within the chamber 12 that is defined by the outer peripheral wall 13, the rods 14 are preferably extended upwardly beyond the upper portion of the base housing 11, best shown in FIGS. 3 and 6-10, A number of first spring members 16, such as coil springs 16 are engaged into the chamber 12 of the base housing 11 and disposed onto or around the rods 14 respectively and extended upwardly beyond the upper portion of the rods 14, also best shown in FIGS. 6-10. It is preferable that the base housing 11 includes a polygonal structure having such as a square or rectangular cross section.

It is preferable that a board 17 is provided and disposed on top of the spring members 16 (FIGS. 6-10). The housing 11 includes one or more ring members 18 attached to the outer peripheral portion of the housing 11 for such as coupling to the building 8. A confining or anchoring device 20 includes a number of cylindrical barrels 21 engaged onto the outer peripheral portion of the spring members 16 and coupled together and/or secured to the outer peripheral wall 13 with coupling links 22 for confining or anchoring or positioning the spring members 16 and for preventing the spring members 16 from over-moving laterally or sidewise. The cylindrical barrels 21 include a height or length shorter than that of the spring members 16 for allowing the spring members 16 to be suitably compressed and sprung back (FIGS. 10, 11).

A receptacle 30 includes a bottom panel 31 having a peripheral frame 32 extended downwardly therefrom and having a shape corresponding to that of the base housing 11 for snugly and slidably engaged into or onto the outer peripheral portion of the base housing 11 and for guiding the peripheral frame 32 and the receptacle 30 to move up and down relative to the base housing 11. The board 17 is contacted or engaged with the bottom panel 31 of the receptacle 30, and the spring members 16 may be disposed below the receptacle 30 and/or directly contacted or engaged with the bottom panel 31 of the receptacle 30 for applying a spring biasing force between the base housing 11 and the receptacle 30 or against the receptacle 30 and for cushioning the possible vertical forces that may be applied to the receptacle 30.

The receptacle 30 further includes an inner peripheral fence 33 and an outer peripheral fence 34 extended upwardly from the bottom panel 31 for forming a peripheral space 35 between the inner and the outer peripheral fences 33, 34 and an inner compartment 36 within the inner peripheral fence 33. It is preferable that the inner and the outer peripheral fences 33, 34 include a polygonal structure. The receptacle 30 further includes a pole 37 extended upwardly from the bottom panel 31 and located within the inner peripheral fence 33 and having a screw hole 38 formed in the pole 37 for threading or coupling or securing to a hanging member 40 which includes a threaded shank 41 extended therefrom for engaging with the screw hole 38 of the pole 37 and for securing to the pole 37 of the receptacle 30. The hanging member 40 includes a hook or ring 42 for coupling to hanging or lifting tools or devices (not shown) and for allowing the earthquake resistant building foundation 10 to be lifted and moved elsewhere with the hanging or lifting tools or devices.

A lower plate 43 is disposed and engaged on top of the receptacle 30 and includes a center hole 44 formed therein for receiving the upper portion of the pole 37, the lower plate 43 may be secured to the receptacle 30 and/or the pole 37 with such as fasteners or latches (not shown) or by welding processes. The lower plate 43 further includes a number of longitudinal and/or lateral grooves 45 formed in the upper portion thereof, and a number of orifices 46 formed through the lower plate 43 and preferably communicating with the longitudinal and/or lateral grooves 45 for allowing a lubricating oil to flow through the orifices 46 of the lower plate 43.

An upper plate 47 is further provided and disposed and engaged on top of the lower plate 43, and may also be secured to the lower plate 43 with such as fasteners or latches (not shown) or by welding processes. Alternatively, the upper plate 47 may be secured to the lower plate 43 and the receptacle 30 with such as the hanging member 40. The upper plate 47 also includes a center hole 48 formed therein for receiving the upper portion of the pole 37 (FIGS. 8, 9), and the hanging member 40 may be engaged with the upper plate 47 for anchoring and securing the upper plate 47 to the lower plate 43 and the receptacle 30. The upper plate 47 further includes a number of fasteners 49, such as lock nuts 49 secured or welded on top of the upper plate 47 for securing to a lower foot 88 of the post 80 of the building 8 (FIG. 1).

The earthquake resistant building foundation 10 further includes a number of second spring members 50 engaged into the peripheral space 35 that is formed between the inner and the outer peripheral fences 33, 34, and a number of pegs 51 are extended into the peripheral space 35 of the receptacle 30 from the inner peripheral fence 33 for engaging with one ends of the spring members 50 and for anchoring or positioning the spring members 50 to the inner peripheral fence 33 of the receptacle 30. The receptacle 30 further includes a number of apertures 39 formed in the outer peripheral portion thereof (FIG. 4) and communicating with the peripheral space 35 of the receptacle 30 and each for slidably receiving a shaft 52 therein, in which the shaft 52 is slidable or movable into and out of the peripheral space 35 of the receptacle 30.

The shafts 52 each include an inner end 53 (FIGS. 4 and 8-9) secured to a bracket 54 which is engaged with the other end of the spring member 50 and engageable with the outer peripheral fence 34 of the receptacle 30 for anchoring or positioning the spring members 50 to the outer peripheral fence 34 of the receptacle 30, and for allowing the spring members 50 to be compressed by the shaft 52 only and for preventing the spring members 50 from moving out of the receptacle 30. The spring members 50 may thus apply a spring biasing force against the shaft 52 for cushioning the possible lateral or sidewise forces that may be applied to the shaft 52 or for lateral cushioning purposes.

The earthquake resistant building foundation 10 further includes a number of lateral cushioning devices 60 attached or coupled to the other ends 55 of the shafts 52 for cushioning or absorbing the possible lateral or sidewise forces or the like or for lateral cushioning purposes. The lateral cushioning devices 60 may be moved against the spring members 50 together with the shafts 52 for allowing the spring members 50 to cushion the lateral cushioning devices 60 and/or for allowing the spring members 50 to apply a spring biasing force against the shaft 52 and the lateral cushioning devices 60.

The lateral cushioning devices 60 each include a casing 61 having a compartment 62 formed therein and defined by an outer peripheral wall 63 and a bottom panel 64, in which the bottom panel 64 includes an opening 65 formed therein (FIG. 4) for receiving or engaging with the other ends 55 of the shafts 52 and for coupling or attaching the casings 61 to the other ends 55 of the shafts 52. It is preferable that the other ends 55 of the shafts 52 include a non-circular cross section (FIG. 4) for engaging with the corresponding non-circular opening 65 of the bottom panel 64 of the casing 61 and for positioning the casing 61 to the shaft 52 and for preventing the casing 61 from rotating relative to the shaft 52. A stop 66 may be secured to the other end 55 of the shaft 52 with such as a fastener 67 and engaged with the bottom panel 64 of the casing 61 for solidly securing the casing 61 to the shaft 52 (FIGS. 8, 9).

One or more studs 68 are extended into the compartment 62 from the bottom panel 64 of each of the casings 61, and one or more spring members 69 are further provided and engaged onto the studs 68 respectively and extended out of the casing 61 for engaging with a cover 70 and for applying a spring biasing force between the casing 61 and the cover 70. The casing 61 includes an anchoring member 71 attached thereto, and the cover 70 is slidably engaged onto the casing 61 (FIGS. 7-9) and includes a corresponding anchoring member 72 attached thereto for engaging with the anchoring member 71 of the casing 61 and for limiting the cover 70 to slide relative to the casing 61 and for preventing the cover 70 from being disengaged from the casing 61, and also for allowing the cover 70 to be moved toward the casing 61 against the spring members 69.

The lateral cushioning devices 60 each further include a retainer 73 attached thereto (FIGS. 4, 5), such as attached to the bottom panel 64 of the casing 61, and the cover 70 includes a corresponding latch 74 (FIG. 4) for engaging with the retainer 73 of the casing 61 and for further slidably anchoring the cover 70 to the casing 61, and also for limiting the cover 70 to slide relative to the casing 61 and also for preventing the cover 70 from being disengaged from the casing 61. It is preferable that one or more ring members 75 may further be provided and attached to the outer peripheral portion of the cover 70 for such as coupling to the building 8 and/or for cushioning or absorbing the possible lateral or sidewise forces or the like or for lateral cushioning purposes.

It is to be noted that the spring members 16 may apply a spring biasing force between the base housing 11 and the receptacle 30 for cushioning the receptacle 30 and for cushioning or absorbing the possible vertical forces or the like (FIGS. 10, 11). The spring members 69 are received in the casings 61 and engaged between the casings 61 and the covers 70 for applying the spring biasing forces between the casings 61 and the covers 70 and for cushioning or absorbing the lateral or sidewise forces or the like (FIGS. 6, 7) or for lateral cushioning purposes. In addition, the spring members 50 are received in the receptacle 30 and engaged with the brackets 54 or the inner ends 53 of the shafts 52 for cushioning or absorbing the further lateral or sidewise forces or the like (FIGS. 8, 9) after the spring members 69 have been completely compressed by the casings 61 and the covers 70, for forming a two-stage compressing or cushioning structure and for effectively cushioning or absorbing the lateral or sidewise forces or the like or for lateral cushioning purposes.

Accordingly, the earthquake resistant building foundation in accordance with the present invention includes an improved structure for resisting both up and down or vertical forces and sidewise or lateral forces.

Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example only and that numerous changes in the detailed construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

1. An earthquake resistant building foundation comprising: a receptacle including a space formed therein and including a plurality of apertures formed in an outer peripheral portion thereof and communicating with said space of said receptacle, at least one first spring member disposed below said receptacle for applying a spring biasing force against said receptacle and for cushioning a vertical force that may be applied to said receptacle, a plurality of shafts slidably received in said apertures of said receptacle and movable into and out of said space of said receptacle, a plurality of second spring members disposed in said space of said receptacle and engaged with said shafts respectively for applying a spring biasing force against said shafts and for lateral cushioning purposes, and a plurality of lateral cushioning devices attached to said shafts for allowing said second spring member to apply a spring biasing force against said shaft and said lateral cushioning device, said lateral cushioning devices each including a casing secured to said shaft, a cover slidably engaged onto said casing, and at least one third spring member engaged between said casing and said cover for applying a spring biasing force between said casing and said cover.
 2. The earthquake resistant building foundation as claimed in claim 1, wherein said casing of each of said lateral cushioning devices includes at least one stud extended in said casing, and said at least one third spring member is engaged onto said stud for engaging with said cover.
 3. The earthquake resistant building foundation as claimed in claim 1, wherein said casing of each of said lateral cushioning devices includes a compartment formed therein and defined by an outer peripheral wall and includes a first anchoring member attached thereto, and said cover includes a second anchoring member attached thereto for engaging with said first anchoring member of said casing and for limiting said cover to slide relative to said casing.
 4. The earthquake resistant building foundation as claimed in claim 1, wherein said casing of each of said lateral cushioning devices includes a retainer attached thereto, and said cover includes a latch for engaging with said retainer of said casing and for slidably anchoring said cover to said casing and for limiting said cover to slide relative to said casing.
 5. The earthquake resistant building foundation as claimed in claim 1, wherein said casing of each of said lateral cushioning devices includes a bottom panel having an opening formed therein for engaging with said shaft and for attaching said casing to said shaft.
 6. The earthquake resistant building foundation as claimed in claim 5, wherein said opening of said bottom panel of said casing includes a non-circular cross section, and said shaft includes a non-circular end for engaging with said non-circular opening of said casing and for preventing said casing from rotating relative to said shaft.
 7. The earthquake resistant building foundation as claimed in claim 5, wherein a stop is secured to said shaft and engaged with said bottom panel of said casing for securing said casing to said shaft.
 8. The earthquake resistant building foundation as claimed in claim 1, wherein said shafts each include a bracket attached thereto and engaged with said second spring member and engageable with said receptacle for preventing said second spring members from moving out of said receptacle.
 9. The earthquake resistant building foundation as claimed in claim 1, wherein said receptacle includes an inner peripheral fence and an outer peripheral fence extended upwardly from a bottom panel for forming said space between said inner and said outer peripheral fences and for forming an inner compartment within said inner peripheral fence.
 10. The earthquake resistant building foundation as claimed in claim 9, wherein said receptacle includes a plurality of pegs extended from said inner peripheral fence for engaging with said second spring members and for anchoring said second spring members to said inner peripheral fence of said receptacle.
 11. The earthquake resistant building foundation as claimed in claim 9, wherein said receptacle includes a pole extended upwardly from said bottom panel and located within said inner peripheral fence and having a screw hole formed in said pole for coupling to a hanging member.
 12. The earthquake resistant building foundation as claimed in claim 11, wherein a lower plate is disposed on top of said receptacle and includes a center hole formed therein for receiving said pole, and includes a plurality of orifices formed through said lower plate.
 13. The earthquake resistant building foundation as claimed in claim 12, wherein said lower plate includes a plurality of grooves formed therein and communicating with said orifices of said lower plate.
 14. The earthquake resistant building foundation as claimed in claim 12, wherein an upper plate is engaged on top of said lower plate and includes a center hole formed therein for receiving said pole, and said upper plate includes a plurality of fasteners secured thereon for securing to a lower foot of a post of a building.
 15. The earthquake resistant building foundation as claimed in claim 1, wherein a base housing includes a chamber formed therein and defined by an outer peripheral wall and a bottom wall, and includes at least one rod extended upwardly from said bottom wall of said base housing and located within said chamber defined by said outer peripheral wall, and said at least one first spring member is engaged into said chamber of said base housing and disposed around said at least one rod and extended upwardly beyond said at least one rod.
 16. The earthquake resistant building foundation as claimed in claim 15, wherein said base housing includes an anchoring device having at least one barrel engaged onto said at least one first spring member and coupled to said outer peripheral wall with at least one coupling link for anchoring said at least one first spring member. 